Pollen Monitoring
Pollen Report
The NC Division of Air Quality (DAQ) operates a pollen sampler at in Raleigh. As pollen samples are collected, we report the data publicly and indicate how severe the observed pollen level was.
Note: DAQ does not forecast future pollen levels in North Carolina.
Click the subscribe link in the Additional Pollen Information section below if you would like to have the daily pollen report automatically emailed to you.
Understanding the Pollen Report
- Pollen Type: Individual pollen grains can be divided into three different types: grasses, trees, and weeds.
- Number of Grains: This number represents the pollen grains counted on the pollen rod for each pollen type.
- Severity: DAQ classifies pollen counts as "low", "moderate", "high" or "very high".
- Pollen Count: The number of grains of pollen in a cubic meter of air.
- Total Pollen Count: The sum of the individual pollen counts for grasses, trees, and weeds.Pollen Monitor
Pollen Trends
DAQ has collected pollen sample data going back to 1999. This data is available through our Pollen Trends Report. This tool allows the public to view historical measured pollen levels for trees, grasses and weeds in the last 30, 60 or 90 days, or for a custom date range as far back as data exists.
Pollen Monitor
DAQ operates a pollen sampler at the Laboratory Analysis Branch headquarters on Reedy Creek Road in Raleigh. It is the only pollen sampler in the state currently operated by DAQ.
Address: 4403 Reedy Creek Road, Raleigh, NC 27607
Latitude: 35.813311
Longitude: -78.714373
Sampling Method & Frequency
The DAQ pollen sampler is operated annually from late-February through mid-November. The exact season start and end dates fluctuate yearly.
Samples are collected Monday through Friday, except on state holidays, and represent the pollen count for the previous 24 hours. Each sample is collected for 24 hours, from 9 a.m. to 9 a.m. of the following day. The sampler collects pollen for 1 minute of every 10 minutes.
DAQ laboratory technicians analyze the collected pollen under a microscope and publish a daily report detailing the number of pollen grains counted.
The detailed pollen counting procedure with pictures can be found here (PDF).
Additional Pollen Information
- DAQ Pollen Lab on X.com (Twitter)
- Pollen Report Severity Levels
- Subscribe to the Daily Pollen Report - Please include your contact information in the body of the message (your first and last names are required).
Contact
For sampling questions
Steven Walters
919-707-8453
For public/media inquiries
Shawn Taylor
919-707-8446
Non-DAQ Pollen Data
Other pollen data collected by other organizations throughout North Carolina may be found at:
- Buncombe County (Asheville) [available from the National Allergy Bureau network]
- Forsyth County (Winston-Salem)
- National Allergy Bureau's network (nationwide listing)